Submission, Part One
Submission, while a dirty word in today's world, is to be no stranger to the Christian. In this longer section (1 Peter 2.13-3.22) Peter provides us with four scenarios for submission, at least one of which every believer could relate to: a citizen, a slave, a spouse and a sibling. Consider this “Submission Week” as we’ll spend the next few days uncovering Peter’s teaching on the subject.
Waiting On God
Peter, due to his own impatience, understands as well as anyone how difficult it is to wait upon the Lord. In opening his letter he begins with acknowledging that, while we wait upon God for many things, we wait upon him for these four items in particular: Our future inheritance (verses three through 5), our deliverance from trials (verses six and seven), a glimpse of our savior (verses eight and nine) and for complete understanding (verses 10 through 13). The goal of our faith, which is constantly tested, is our salvation. That salvation is a great mystery and of great worth, is both secure and eternal, and will be made complete at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Shipwrecked!
In the fall Festus sent Paul to Rome. Luke sets the tone of the journey at the start, telling us that the winds were not favorable for travel and the ship had to sail under the lee of Cyrus, meaning the captain used the island to take the brunt of the wind by sailing on the north and eastern side of the island. The weather was a constant battle making it slow going.
Assassin's Oath
We’re nearing the end of the book of Acts and everything rushes from this point forward to a surprise ending. Here in Acts 23.12-.35 we are given details of yet another plot to murder the apostle Paul. This time the conspiracy didn’t came from men unpracticed in the art of treachery, but neither was it by a secretive sect of assassins like Sicariqim. In this case the cause was taken up by 40 devote but hardened Jewish zealots who sought permission to kill Paul from none other than the high priest.
Our Holy Identity
In 1 Peter 1.22-2.12 we discover profound truths about our identity in Jesus Christ. Rather than the practices we once kept as unbelievers, looking out for number one, we are now characterized by purity of love for one another (according to 1.22). This love is not superficial, as in “I love ice cream,” rather, it is a “deep” love. The Greek word used here means literally “in an all-out manner, with intense strain.” This is possible because in Christ our entire being has been morphed into something completely unlike our previous selves. This radical change has affected our minds and souls, enabling us to become children of God. How did this transformation begin and when will it be completed? The next 16 verses explain the details.
New Beginnings
It can be stressful to see another year end, another one begin and perhaps this is the best time to remember that we worship a living God.
Before Festus and Agrippa
Acts 25 starting in verse 13 we see the new governor Festus consulting with King Agrippa regarding Paul’s case. To assure there is no confusion, it is important to note that Governor Festus is in authority over the king. Most westerners understand king’s to have absolute authority, but in the Roman Empire this was not the case. King Agrippa was king over Israel, but fell under Roman authority. Caesar was the highest authority, with Governors over provinces being fairly autonomous in the day to day running of their region. Under governors were local kings, who did not have the authority of capital punishment. For this reason, Jesus and now Paul had to be brought before a Roman authority to be tried in a capital punishment case.
Paul v. Judaism
In an effort to understand why the Jews wanted Paul dead, the commanding officer organized a mediation between the parties. He invited the high priests and the heads of the temple religious parties, the Pharisees and Sadducees, along with Paul to meet together and hammer out the details of the case. As a Roman and the accused, Paul was gave the first opening statement, the Jews would then be permitted to make theirs.
Foundation of a Holy Life
This salvation that Peter has spent the first 13 verses discussing provides us four things we desperately need to please God: enlightenment (.14), holiness (.15), a new identity (.16-.20), and hope (.21).
Paul in Rome
Once all the crew, soldiers, passengers and criminals in transport were accounted for they were greeted by the natives. The Greek word used here is “barbarians” and indicates the people were neither Roman nor Jewish. Lest we assume these were a tribe of ignorant natives, these men and women were likely of Phoenician and Sicilian heritage and worshiped the gods of the Greeks and Romans. Their religious ties to Rome are apparent later in the chapter when the reference the goddess Justice. They showed the shipwrecked men great hospitality and welcomed them into their homes, which were likely free-standing structures made of stone.
Paul's Appeal
From a prison at the Roman barracks in Jerusalem Paul travelled under cover of darkness 40 miles with 200 troops to protect him. His destination would afford him favorable accommodations, for not only would he have better protection from the assassin zealots but he would be put up at the Governors palace. Which is where we find Paul at the start of Acts 24.
Paul v. Jerusalem
Upon reaching the Roman’s fort Paul asked if you could speak to the commanding officer, who evidently wasn’t well versed in Hebrew. Upon his consent Paul asked the officer, in Greek, if he would prefer to talk in the Greek language. This surprised the officer who, due to the confusion caused by the mob, thought that Paul was a terrorist. Apparently Roman intelligence knew that the terrorist, a member of the famed Sicarii assassins, did not speak Greek.